ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
IFS Officer Trainees of 2021 Batch call on PM
PM engaged in a freewheeling and informal interaction with the Officer Trainees
The Officer Traineers of the 2021 Batch of Indian Foreign Service  called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today.
In a freewheeling and informal interaction, Prime Minister congratulated the IFS Officer Trainees on joining the service and said they will now get an opportunity to represent India on the world stage. He discussed with them the reason behind joining the service.
Talking about 2023 being the International Year of Millets, he discussed in detail how they can contribute to popularising millets so that our farmers can benefit. He spoke about how millets are environment friendly and have health benefits also. He also talked about LiFE  and how one can bring about small changes in one’s lifestyle to benefit the environment. Officer Trainees discussed the Panch Pran espoused by him in this year’s Independence Day speech and gave inputs about how IFS Officers can contribute towards their attainment.
Prime Minister exhorted the Officer Trainees to think and plan long term, for the next 25 years, about how they can grow themselves during this period, and be of use for the growth of the country.
Ministry of Coal
Thirteen Railway lines under construction for faster Coal Transportation
Government has made several policy reforms in the coal sector.
Ministry of Coal is coordinating with Ministry of Railways to enhance coal evacuation & distribution capabilities. At present, 13 Railway lines are being constructed in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways for expansion of coal distribution capabilities, which are at various stages of construction.
A total of 67 First Mile Connectivity  Projects with 885 MT capacity being taken up in 3 phases to achieve capacity of ~1BT mechanized handling of coal. In line with the goal of PM Gati Shakti, the Ministry of Coal has undertaken railway projects costing Rs. 26000 Cr to develop multimodal connectivity.
A Sub-group of all stakeholder ministries- Railway, Power, & Coal, and State representatives has been created. The Sub-group ensures rakes supply depending on the coal availability.
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
AYUSH
Free Distribution of AYUSH-64in Delhi expands to 25 locations
All India Institute of Ayurveda begins the service 24x7
Building upon the national drive of free distribution of AYUSH 64 and KabasuraKudineer, the Ministry of Ayush has widened its network of distribution outlets in the National capital. Its main collaborator in the campaign, Sewa Bharti, has started distributing AYUSH-64 at 17 locations in Delhi from Friday. In two days’ time this number is expected to cross 30. Those COVID-19 patients who are in home isolation or are staying at some government/NGO arranged isolation centres are benefiting from this initiative of the Ministry of Ayush. The free distribution drive has reached to more than20 states and the intra state reach is expanding on a continuous basis.
While the All India Institute of Ayurveda has opened its free distribution counter 24x7, two more Ayush institutions, the Central Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy,sector-19, Rohini and the Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy in sector-24, Noida, have also started distributing AYUSH-64 to asymptomatic, mild and moderate out of hospital COVID-19 patients. Ministry began free distribution of these medicines through its seven centres in Delhi on last Saturday.
The 17 distribution centres started by Sewa Bharti on friday are located in Shahdara, Gandhi Nagar, Indraprastha, Himmatpuri , Kaalkaji, Badarpur, Karawal Nagar, Brahmpuri, NandNagri , Rohtas Nagar, Tilak Nagar, JanakPuri, Rohini, Kanjhavla, Narela and Buradi. These centres will operate seven days a week from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm.
Apart from this a sale counter is also set up at the reception of Ayush Bhawan, B- block, GPO complex where both AYUSH 64 and AYURAKSHA kits are available.
Patients or their representatives can visit these centres with the hard or soft copies of patient’s RT PCR positive report or Rapid Antigen report  or HRCT chest report and Aadhar Card to getfree AYUSH 64 tablets.
It may be noted AYUSH 64 is a poly herbal formulation that has been found useful in the treatment of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection. AYUSH-64 is recommended in National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga which is vetted by National Task Force on COVID Management of ICMR and Guidelines for Ayurveda Practitioners for COVID-19 Patients in Home Isolation. It has been repurposed as an add on to standard care for COVID-19 patients after a robust multi-centre clinical trial which was monitored by Ministry of AYUSH-CSIR Joint Monitoring Committee for clinical trial under the chairmanship of Dr. V M Katoch, former DG, ICMR.
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Amidst the COVID-19 lockdown FCI moves 721 rakes carrying about 20.19 Lakh MT food grains across the country in 14 days since 24th March
FCI has sent enough stocks to states throughout the country to implement PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana  wherein 5 kg foodgrain per person per month for next three months has to be distributed free to all National Food Security Act  beneficiaries. Many states like UP, Bihar, Telangana, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Mizoram have already started lifting foodgrains from FCI under this scheme. In course of next few days other states will also start lifting the foodgrains for distribution under PMGKAY. FCI is working tirelessly and has ensured that enough food grain stocks are made available in every part of the country during countrywide lockdown. In last 14 days since 24.03.2020 when the lockdown was announced to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, FCI moved an average of 1.44 Lakh MT food grain per day as against the pre-lockdown daily average of about 0.8 Lakh MT. A total of 658 rakes carrying about 18.42 Lakh MT food grains have been transported across the country till 06.04.2020. Another 63 rakes to carry approximately 1.76 Lakh MT foodgrain are being loaded today.
In addition to meeting the regular requirements of food grains under NFSA and additional allocation under PMGKAY, FCI is providing wheat and rice directly to State Govts without going through the e-auction route, at Open Market sale rates to ensure continuous supply of food grains. Wheat is given for meeting the requirements of manufacturers of wheat flour and other wheat products based on the assessment of requirements done by the respective District Magistrates. So far FCI has allotted 1.38 LMT Wheat in 13 states and 1.32 LMT Rice in 8 states under this model.
For details of loading and unloading of foodgrain during this period click on the following links:
- Statewise details of rakes loaded during lockdown period
- Statewise details of rakes unloaded during lockdown period
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Cabinet approves MoC between India and Japan in the field of Food Processing Industry
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the Memorandum of Cooperation  between India and Japan in the field of food processing sector.
Benefits:
Bilateral cooperation in the field of food processing between India and Japan will be mutually beneficial to the food processing sector in both countries. It will promote understanding of best practices in food processing in the two countries and will help in improving the food processing sector as well as improved market access, leading to equity and inclusiveness. The MoC will lead to betterment of the food processing sector in the country by introducing innovative techniques and processes. It will help in increasing food processing in the country by getting access to best practices and better markets
Ministry of Rural Development
Steps to Promote Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin
In order to achieve the target of “Housing for All” in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana- Gramin  with effect from 1st April, 2016 to provide assistance to construct 2.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities by March, 2024. Out of the overall target of 2.95 crore houses under PMAY-G, a target of 2.94 crore houses has already been allocated to States/Union Territories , out of which 2.85 crore houses have already been sanctioned to the beneficiaries by various States/UTs and 2.18 crore houses have been completed as on 11.3.2023. The following steps are taken by the Ministry to promote PMAY-G:
- Regular review of progress at the level of Ministry.
- Launch of PMAY-G Dashboard for monitoring and supervision of the scheme.
- Timely allocation of targets to the States/UTs and release of adequate funds.
- Regular follow ups with the State to ensure release of central and state share of funds and provision of land to landless beneficiaries in rural areas.
- Awards to the best performing States/UTs, districts and blocks based on performance index dashboard, thereby creating healthy competition and motivation among the States/UTs for achieving the set targets.
Under PMAY-G, the minimum unit  size is 25 sq. meter including a dedicated area for hygienic cooking. The beneficiaries are free to construct their houses more than the minimum unit area prescribed under the PMAY-G. At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the Ministry for increasing the minimum prescribed area.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Sadhvi
Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement  to be signed tomorrow
Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India and Mr. Dan Tehan, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia, will sign the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement  in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, H.E. Shri. Narendra Modi and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Scott Morrison tomorrow.
Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening relationship between the two countries. The IndAus ECTA, encompassing trade in goods and services, is a balanced and equitable trade agreement, which will further cement the already deep, close and strategic relations between the two countries and will significantly enhance the bilateral trade in goods and services, create new employment opportunities, raise living standards and improve the general welfare of the peoples of the two countries.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN AIR FORCE LAUNCHES e-GOVERNANCE  PORTAL
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC formally launched the IAF e-Governance  portal at Air HQ, Vayu Bhavan on 31 Dec 20. The implementation undertaken as part of Digital India and e-governance initiative will transform the entire Indian Air Force to a ‘paperless office’ workflow.
The launch of e-Governance in IAF marks a paradigm shift from the current method of correspondence, filing and documentation to a digital one. The platform would achieve enhanced transparency, improved efficiency, increased accountability, assured data integrity and rapidly accessible archives along with a major reduction in the use of paper.
The project started in Apr 20 and was to be completed by 01 Jan 21. The application has been designed indigenously from scratch and customized to meet the Filing System requirements of IAF. It provides for creation, handling, movement, processing and archival of files and documents and would enable quick disposal and faster decision making.
Ministry of Coal
States to garner Rs. 6,656 Crores of annual revenue from the historic success of nation’s first commercial coal mining auction: Shri Pralhad Joshi
Union Coal Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi has said States will garner a total revenue of Rs 6,656 crores annually from the success of the nation's first ever commercial mining auction. Speaking to the media in New Delhi today after completion of the bidding process of this auction, Shri Joshi stated that 19 mines have successfully been auctioned, which is the highest number of successfully auctioned mines in any tranche of coal auctions.
“The results of these auctions are historic and clearly proves that opening up the coal sector under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji was a step in the right direction and is propelling towards making the nation Aatmanirbhar in coal” Shri Joshi said. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had launched India’s first auction of coal mines for commercial mining on June 18, 2020.
Shri Joshi said that the mines have witnessed fierce competition and companies have offered great premiums. The highest premium remained at 66.75% whereas the average premium remained at 29%.
Out of 38 mines put on auction, financial bids were received for 19 mines and the success of the auction remained at 50%. Whereas the average success rate of the previous 10 tranches of coal auctions remained at about 30% as only 35 mines could be auctioned, out of 116 mines put on auction during the last 10 tranches.
Highlighting the bidding pattern Shri Joshi said that almost 65% bidders were from the ‘non-end user’ category like Real Estate, Infrastructure, Pharma, etc., which is a positive sentiment shared by the industry after removal of ‘End Use’ criteria from the bidding process. 42 companies participated in the auction, out of which 40 were private players. Even two PSUs - NALCO and Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Ltd - have participated in the auction.
Out of these successfully auctioned 19 mines, 11 are opencast, 5 are underground mines and remaining 3 are a mix of underground and opencast mines. These mines are spread over 05 states Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra and have consolidated Peak Rated Capacity  of 51 Million Tonnes Per Annum .
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Ministry of Communications
TRAI Clarification on news articles published on ‘Draft Regulations on Metering and Billing’ and ‘Tariff Plan Verification’
Clarificatory note on issue related to ‘Draft Regulations on Accuracy of Metering & Billing System, way forward for light touch regulations’:
- The proposed Regulations, in fact, reduce the burden of service providers in terms of number of audits being conducted in a year. Instead of auditing each LSA in each quarter, audit is proposed on yearly basis which means each LSA is to be audited only once in a year .
- Emphasis has been given to the audit of centralised system rather than reaching to each LSA and duplicating audit of each plan. Now, LSA audit will be subjected to only those plans which are not subjected to the centralised audit.
- Provisions have been made for self-correction of errors by the service providers. If the corrective actions are taken in time by service providers, then no financial disincentives will be imposed. A self-certificate in this regard will meet the audit requirement.
- The audit methodology currently in practice does not represent all segments of pre-paid customers, which contribute almost 95 per cent of the total customer base. Plans selection process has been rationalised to get a proper representation of all types of plans. However, in this case also, total quantum of samples will be similar to earlier quantum.
- Though TRAI acknowledges that most of the plans offered are on unlimited basis, however each plan has got fair usage policy  limit which determines the quality and quantity of usage of service by the consumers. To have a continued confidence of consumers towards service provider and the regulator, it is essential to continue the audit process.
- Efforts have been made to encourage service providers to refund overcharged amount, if any detected during the audit, to the customers promptly. Accordingly, the impact of financial disincentives has also been rationalised.
- Confidence built up on system accuracy through audit process shall further reduce burden of LSA audit on the Service Providers.
The TRAI clarificatory note on issue related to ‘Tariff plan verification’:
- Examination of tariff offers filed by telecom companies are being done by Authority in a routine manner to ensure compliance of same with extant regulatory provisions.
- Examination of Tariff is in vogue for last many years since inception of TTO in the year 1999.
- There is no special drive being undertaken by TRAI to probe all the past tariff plans filed by telecom companies except those specific plans under examination.
- Any tariff may be subjected to fresh examination as per statutory mandate of the Authority on receipt of complaint of non-compliance to regulatory principles, including allegation of predatory nature of tariff by any stakeholder including TSP.
- On receipt of specific complaints of alleged predation by few TSPs, the matter is under examination and appropriate action as per regulatory provisions will be taken.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on their Statehood Days
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on their Statehood Days.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Greetings to the people of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on their Statehood Days. These states are making vibrant contributions to India’s development. Praying for their constant progress."
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
ACC appointments
- The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Anindo Majumdar, IAS , presently in the cadre, as Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission in the rank and pay of Secretary.
- The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas, Director, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre  as Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission for a period till he attains the age of 64 years i.e. upto 03.05.2021, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Special Service and Features
AIR invite applications for News Editors/ Reporters/News Readers
The Regional News Unit of All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram, invite applications to form a panel of News Editors/Reporters  and News Readers -cum- Translators  purely on casual and assignment basis. Those residing within 10 km radius of All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram, are eligible to apply. All applicants need to appear for written test and interview. Those applying for casual empanelment as News Reader –cum- Translator will have to undergo a voice test also. For further details, please visit www.newsonair.gov.in  or https://prasarbharati.gov.in/pbvacancies/. The last date for receipt of application is 08.07.2022 .
(ND
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 305
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 113.61 crore
More than 61 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 113.61Crore today. More than 61 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10380923
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9352427
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18374460
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16218041
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
435515436
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
176498488
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
179002294
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
106691645
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
112148571
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
71986654
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
755421684
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
380747255
|
|
Total
|
|
1136168939
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 16th November, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
200
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9390
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
183
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19193
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1336541
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2953748
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
316861
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
857246
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
195186
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
433078
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
1848971
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
4272655
|
|
Total
|
|
6121626
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Finance
Telangana becomes the 3rd State to complete Urban Local Bodies reforms; Additional borrowing permission of Rs.2,508 crore issued
Additional borrowing permission of Rs.7,406 crore granted so far to 3 States for urban local bodies reforms
Telangana has become the 3rd State in the country to successfully undertake “Urban Local Bodies ” reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Thus, the State has become eligible to mobilise additional financial resources of Rs.2,508 crore through Open Market Borrowings. Permission for the same was issued by the Department of Expenditure on 7thJanuary, 2021. Telangana has now joined the two other States namely, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, who have completed this reform. On completion of urban local bodies reform, these three States have been granted additional borrowing permission of Rs.7,406 crore.
Reforms in the urban local bodies and the urban utilities reforms are aimed at financial strenghtening of ULBs in the State and to enable them to provide better public health and sanitation services. Economically rejuvenated ULBs will also be able to create good civic infrastructure. The reforms stipulated to achieve these objectives are:
 The State will notify  floor rates of property tax in ULBs which are in consonance with the prevailing circle rates  and  floor rates of user charges in respect of the provision of water-supply, drainage and sewerage which reflect current costs/ past inflation.
 The State will put in place a system of periodic increase in floor rates of property tax/ user charges in line with price increases.
In view of the resource requirement to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India had on 17th May, 2020 enhanced the borrowing limit of the States by 2 percent of their Gross States Domestic Product . Half of this special dispensation was linked to undertaking citizen centric reforms by the States. The States get permission to raise additional funds equivalent to 0.25 percent of GSDP on completion of reforms in each sector. The four citizen centric areas identified for reforms were  Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System,  Ease of doing business reform,  Urban Local body/ utility reforms and  Power Sector reforms.
So far 10 States have implemented the One Nation One Ration Card System, 7 States have done ease of doing business reforms, and 3 States have done local body reforms. Total additional borrowing permission issued so far to the States who have done the refoms stands at Rs.54,190 crore.
RM/KMN
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